E bass chord

How to play E on bass

The most common way, the first shape above: your ring finger on the A string at the 2nd fret, your little finger on the D string at the 2nd fret and your index finger on the G string at the 1st fret. Let the E string ring open.

From the E string 0 2 2 1 (x: not played, 0: open)

What notes are in E?

E, E major, is E, G♯ and B: the root (E), the major third (G♯) and the perfect fifth (B). Its formula is 1 3 5.

What is the difference between E and Em?

One note. E has the major third, G♯; Em lowers it a half step to G. That one note turns the bright sound of a major chord into the darker sound of a minor one.

Can I play E5 instead?

E5, the power chord, is E and B with no third, so it is neither major nor minor. It stands in for E in rock, especially with distortion, where a full chord can sound muddy.

Keys with E

E is the I chord in E major, the V chord in A major, the IV chord in B major, the III chord in C♯ minor, the VII chord in F♯ minor and the VI chord in G♯ minor, and the V of A minor, the major fifth chord from its harmonic minor scale.